Key Responsibilities:

• To act as a Subject Matter Expert for forensic ballistic examination
• To line manage the NABIS Training Officer ensuring effective training provision across all NABIS functions 
• Develop, review and deliver a competency-based training programme for Ballistic Technicians, Senior Technicians, Experts, and Forensic leadership across UK policing, Police Service Northern Ireland and Police Scotland
• Develop modules and inputs for external training provision, and identify service improvement areas in response to new training techniques, adopting a continuous improvement model to keep training provision relevant
• Responsible for the design and delivery of a range of training modules for use with International audiences up to ministerial level
• Identify and coordinate relevant Continuous Professional Development opportunities for experts including relevant conferences and research opportunities
• Responsible for researching, assessing and introducing new training delivery methods, including virtual advancements
• Develop and maintain a range of relevant and current competency tests for experts to be used Nationally, to test the competency of forensic ballistic experts
• Support technical audits across the forensic hubs as directed by the relevant governance meeting
• Responsible for ensuring that all Forensic related training for NABIS is coordinated and that the NABIS Training Officer is supported
• Responsible for ensuring that all-in house-training equipment and materials are maintained Maintain personal forensic ballistic competency through the examination of an agreed caseload in line with the requirements of the expert role and in line with NABIS standard operating procedures
• Ensure safe working practices within the NABIS Hub, taking into consideration firearms legislation and Health and Safety guidelines.
• To ensure the maintenance of quality technical processes are in line with defined independent verified standards and that the development of firearms intelligence products is undertaken in conjunction with NABIS intelligence professionals. 
• To provide expert ballistics knowledge in the delivery of products and services by using tool mark comparison systems, Microscopy and IBIS technologies, together with firearms legislation.
• To support contribute and comply with quality processes in line with ISO17025 and the FSR Codes of Conduct and Practice to include leading and completion of technical audits in line with the requirements of ISO17025
• To ensure safe working practices within the NABIS Hub, taking into consideration firearms legislation and Health and Safety guidelines.
• To work with NABIS Intelligence to develop firearms intelligence products 
• Responsible for making safe firearms submitted to the Unit to prevent accidental discharges. Undertake responsibility for safety, certification and storage of all firearms and associated exhibits / documentation submitted to NABIS and for the production of expert witness statements for the Certification of firearms and ammunition in line with current legislation.
• Undertake evidential test-firing of firearms for classification and ballistic comparison. Additionally, undertake the classification of all types of firearms and ammunition whilst preserving forensic evidence including, DNA, fingerprints and fibres.   
• Responsible for the efficient and effective use of IBIS technologies. Realising early investigative opportunities and maintaining a high-quality database including the examination and photography of firearms and ammunition for identifying marks and modifications.
• Attend court in the capacity of a Ballistics Expert and present evidence as required.
• Responsible for monitoring the storage, movement and destruction of firearms within a NABIS hub to ensure compliance with national protocols.
• Required to keep up to date and monitor the firearms industry to anticipate crime trends and to monitor criminal firearms use for national policy recommendations. 
• Continually develop forensic best practice in the NABIS services and liaise with firearm experts from forces, other agencies and defence experts as required. Keep up-to-date on technical developments by attending meetings, seminars, exhibitions (both in the UK and abroad) and reading technical/trade journals
• Participate in stakeholder liaison meetings with customers, suppliers and national sponsors and deliver firearms lectures and training sessions for investigators, intelligence staff and junior staff
• To ensure adherence to relevant Force procedures in relation to Information management by ensuring appropriate processes are in place. 
• To manage personal performance using the Performance Appraisal system, ensuring that annual and interim meetings take place and objectives are agreed and actioned.
• To promote and comply with WMP's policies on equal opportunities and health and safety both in the delivery of services and the treatment of others.
• There is an essential requirement for maintaining the highest levels of personal, business and scientific integrity.

Essential Skills:

• Degree or equivalent in a research-based subject 
• Extensive experience as a Forensic Ballistics Expert working within a law enforcement setting
• Evidence of delivering training programmes and inputs
• A qualification in teaching/training or working towards this with an expected completion within two years of recruitment
• Experience in firearms range control and range procedures
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Extensive work experience with a leading forensic organisation or as an independent expert consultant. 
• Experience and training in use of IBIS technologies.
• Experience of disassembly and reloading of ammunition and experience in recharging pre-charge air weapons. 
• Ability to meet demanding deadlines and performance targets whilst remaining flexible and responsive to changing operational circumstances.
• Court experience.
• Knowledge of police investigative procedures and intelligence led activity.
• Sound general forensic science knowledge including DNA, fingerprints, fibres, hairs and tool marks.
• Supervised/ trained staff and assisted in their assessment for further training.

Desirable Skills:

• Extensive knowledge of firearms history and manufacturing processes.
• Good knowledge of health and safety legislation.
• Experience of working in a quality management environment, in particular ISO17025

Vetting: Successful applicants will be required to pass Management Vetting and Security Clearance scrutiny prior to commencing their role, this will include a full background & financial disclosure as part of the vetting process.

Medical: Appointment to this role will be dependent upon successfully medical checks, which may include a drugs test and if required a fitness test.

West Midlands Police is a Disability Confident Leader - the highest level an organisation can achieve under the scheme run by the Department of Work and Pensions.  As part of our commitment we operate a ‘Disability Confident Interview Scheme’ - all candidates who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview.

It is important to note that there may be occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to interview all disabled people who meet the essential criteria for the job. For example: in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. In these circumstances, the employer could select the candidates who best meet the essential criteria for the job, as they would do for non-disabled applicants.

"Diversity and Inclusion Vision:  Maximise the potential of people from all backgrounds through a culture of fairness and inclusion to deliver the best service for our communities"

Turner & Townsend  

Fortinet  

Wood  

Technip Energies  

Boskalis  

Delivery Hero  

General Civil Aviation Authority  

AECOM  

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank  

AccorCorpo